American Addiction Centers Blog

Some of us may have heard the urban legend about razor blades being hidden in candy apples on Halloween, and some of us are old enough to remember our parents checking every piece of candy to make sure there weren’t razor blades hidden in our loot. Now, parents don’t worry about sharp objects in their […]

The holidays aren’t just filled with parties, Santa, and Aunt Betty’s famous fudge. They’re also jam-packed with time-strapped travel, stress, and high expectations. And for those in recovery, the holidays can also come with a stocking full of triggers, including people, places, and events that present both the opportunity and the lure to return to […]

Why is Thanksgiving the perfect time for rehab? For those struggling with addiction, treatment is the best gift you can give yourself, as few things can change your life as much or as quickly as sobriety. And when it comes to treatment, now—regardless of the time of year—is the best time to start. That’s the […]

For many in early recovery, football season may present challenges to sobriety. With the stresses of tailgating or football-watching from home—both of which tend to include lots of alcohol and food—it can be tempting to slip into old habits. You might ask, “How can I enjoy a whole season of football with friends without drinking?” […]

Attending a comprehensive addiction treatment program at a rehab facility is an essential first step in beginning recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction. Oftentimes people try to stop substance misuse on their own without professional help and guidance provided at a rehab facility. However, it can be extremely difficult, and in some cases, dangerous. […]

Importance of Telling Family and Friends You’re Going to Rehab Making the decision to go to rehab and seek help for an addiction is not an easy one to make. One of the hardest steps in recovery is making the decision to go to treatment, but it is also natural to worry about the perceptions […]

What is Stress, and Why are College Students so Affected by It? College can be a blast, filled with friends, adventures, and growth. At the same time, it can be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life, as days are often jampacked with classes, studying, and work. Plus, simply adulting on one’s […]

Halloween may be the scariest holiday of the year, but it doesn’t have to unhinge your recovery. Halloween Drug and Alcohol Misuse Halloween—or All Hallows’ Eve—is said to be the one night of the year where the barrier between the dead and the living wanes thin enough to let spirits pass through. However, there’s something […]

Full of unconditional love, dogs really can be man’s best friend. Humans have long realized the ways in which dogs can be helpful. Even from the earliest interactions, humans and dogs shared common goals, including avoiding predators and finding food. More recently, dogs have taken on important roles in therapeutic and educational settings.1 And dogs […]

While not everyone who uses drugs or alcohol misuses them or becomes addicted, there are some things that you can do to prevent substance misuse. These include: 1. Understand the differences between substance use, misuse, and addiction. Not every person who uses alcohol or drugs develops an addiction. In fact, it’s important to understand the […]

The one-day-at-a-time mantra is used frequently in the world of recovery, particularly among people who follow the 12-Step principles of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Its purpose is to remind individuals in recovery to stay in the present, focus on today, and not think too far ahead about sobriety. Because the saying has become so […]

Plenty of articles talk about sober dating in terms of when it’s OK to start dating again and various do’s and don’ts of dating after rehab. Some pieces even offer a list of apps designed to help those in recovery connect with one another. But aside from apps, how can you get the ball rolling? […]